MWH has been awarded a master services agreement contract by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). With this agreement, MWH will provide construction management and engineering services to help implement the $880 million Restoration Strategies Regional Water Quality Plan, part of the state’s ongoing commitment to Everglades restoration.

Planned projects include the design and construction management of various restoration activities such as storm water treatment areas, flow equalization basins, reservoirs, canal bank stabilization, storm water pump stations, control structures, spillways and related components that all work to stabilize and improve the Everglades ecosystem throughout southern Florida. Of major concern are the area’s high levels of phosphorus and other nutrients, which can negatively impact the region and its water supply.

“Protection of the Everglades and its water quality are an important task as Florida looks toward the future of its prized wetlands and wildlife habitats,” said Marshall Davert, president for government and infrastructure for MWH in the Americas and Asia Pacific. “MWH is pleased to be a partner in this work and we look forward to developing and implementing innovative solutions alongside the leadership at the South Florida Water Management District.”

SFWMD’s mission is to manage water resources for the benefit of the region, balancing the needs of the present generations with those of future generations. Equally important elements of this stewardship are the conservation and development of water supply, the protection and improvement of water quality, the mitigation of impacts from flood and drought and the restoration and preservation of natural resources.

In 2012, the State of Florida and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reached a consensus on new strategies for improving water quality in the Everglades. Based on months of scientific and technical discussions, the SFWMD created a plan and strategies that will expand water quality improvement projects to achieve the phosphorus water quality standard established for the Everglades.

The first work order between MWH and SFWMD is now underway and calls for preliminary design of the expansion to Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) 1 West. Located immediately northwest of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, STA-1 West removes excess phosphorus and other nutrients from water flowing into the refuge and other parts of the greater Everglades. This expansion plan doubles the site’s effective treatment area to further reduce phosphorus concentrations and increase the volume of treated water from the facility. The expansion will take place in two phases, with approximately 6,500 total acres of new treatment area available upon completion.

Previously, SFWMD and MWH have partnered on several environmental restoration projects including the design and completion of one of the world’s largest storm water treatment areas (STA 3/4).